Thursday, October 8, 2026

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Wild neighbors · Local photographs

Wild neighbors of the mountains

From playful bear cubs to a gathering of hummingbirds: wildlife sharing these Western North Carolina mountains with us.

A WNC-Life photo story · Select any photograph for a closer look.

An adult black bear and two cubs gather among the leaves. — A family in the greenAn adult black bear and two cubs gather among the leaves.

Wild neighbors

A closer look at mountain life

A bear family among the leaves. Hummingbirds against distant ridges. A hawk on a powerline, and a bobcat glancing back from the woods.

These photographs and selected video stills capture brief encounters with the animals sharing these mountains with us.

Photography · SV Media Services

The collection

Small moments, wild company

Select a photograph to enlarge it. Use the arrows or swipe to explore all 24 images.

Two black bear cubs reach toward one another while an adult stands behind them. — Cubs at playTwo black bear cubs reach toward one another while an adult stands behind them.

Hummingbirds fill the air around the feeders, with mountain ridges beyond. — A mountain gatheringHummingbirds fill the air around the feeders, with mountain ridges beyond.

A red-shouldered hawk looks back from a powerline above a green clearing. — A watchful red-shouldered hawkA red-shouldered hawk looks back from a powerline above a green clearing.

A Cooper’s hawk spreads its wings on a deck railing. — Wings on the deckA Cooper’s hawk spreads its wings on a deck railing.

A bobcat turns toward the camera while crossing a gravel drive beside the woods. — A glance on the way pastA bobcat turns toward the camera while crossing a gravel drive beside the woods.

A bobcat kitten passes through the grass—a fleeting glimpse of a young wild cat. — A young neighborA bobcat kitten passes through the grass—a fleeting glimpse of a young wild cat.

A coyote pauses along the woodland track in this monochrome photograph. — Coyote on the woodland trackA coyote pauses along the woodland track in this monochrome photograph.

A doe stands alert where grass meets the gravel track. — A doe pausesA doe stands alert where grass meets the gravel track.

An antlered buck looks across the wooded clearing. — Antlers at close rangeAn antlered buck looks across the wooded clearing.

A buck stands at the edge of a sunlit clearing. — Warm woodland lightA buck stands at the edge of a sunlit clearing.

Wild turkeys forage along a leaf-covered woodland track. — The flock comes throughWild turkeys forage along a leaf-covered woodland track.

A flock of turkeys crosses a snow-covered path in low sunlight. — Tracks through winterA flock of turkeys crosses a snow-covered path in low sunlight.

Turkeys follow one another up a woodland track. — Single fileTurkeys follow one another up a woodland track.

A black bear stands upright in a green opening beside the woods. — Standing tallA black bear stands upright in a green opening beside the woods.

A black bear peers past a wooden chair surrounded by leafy branches. — Beyond the chairA black bear peers past a wooden chair surrounded by leafy branches.

A perched hummingbird lifts its bill against a soft green background. — A small pauseA perched hummingbird lifts its bill against a soft green background.

A hummingbird hovers beside a feeder with mountain ridges in the distance. — Wings against the mountainsA hummingbird hovers beside a feeder with mountain ridges in the distance.

A hawk perches on an old stump surrounded by woodland foliage. — A woodland lookoutA hawk perches on an old stump surrounded by woodland foliage.

A groundhog pauses among grasses and fallen leaves. — At the grass edgeA groundhog pauses among grasses and fallen leaves.

Two rabbits share the gravel path as a chipmunk leaps past. — A burst of movementTwo rabbits share the gravel path as a chipmunk leaps past.

Two butterflies spread their wings around a cluster of white flowers. — Visitors to the flowersTwo butterflies spread their wings around a cluster of white flowers.

A bee rests on a pink flower bud. — Among the petalsA bee rests on a pink flower bud.

A grasshopper rests on a deck table with the mountains beyond. — Small-scale mountain lifeA grasshopper rests on a deck table with the mountains beyond.

Locations are generalized to protect wildlife and private property.

Sharing the mountains

Watch with room to spare

Enjoy wildlife from a distance. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission advises against feeding wild animals and recommends securing garbage and pet food that could draw bears closer. Give animals a clear way to leave.

Bears in residential areas ↗N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Preventing wildlife conflicts ↗N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission